What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Palisade?

The Palisade's complaint counts have remained elevated across all model years. 2020 (504 complaints) was the worst, with gradual improvement since. The 2025 model (213 complaints, 10/10 safety, 9 severe) is the strongest year currently available as a used buy. Avoid early 2020-2021 production when possible — the trend is improving, but complaint levels across all years remain higher than most three-row rivals.

How much does Hyundai Palisade insurance cost?

Palisade insurance averages around $3,049/year — roughly $254/month. The highest insurance rate of any model in this dataset, well above the three-row class norm.

Is the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Kia Telluride, so a direct comparison isn't possible. Within the three-row class, the Palisade's $573/year sits exactly at the segment average.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Palisade?

Maintenance metrics are all at the segment average, which doesn't create a strong case for or against warranty on cost grounds alone. However, the Palisade's consistently elevated complaint counts — particularly around electronics and infotainment — make coverage worth considering for used buyers, as those systems carry significant repair costs outside of warranty.

Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Palisade

Q: Is the Hyundai Palisade expensive to maintain?

The Palisade costs $573/year to maintain — exactly at the three-row segment average. Repair frequency of 37% is slightly below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both match segment averages. Precisely average across all maintenance metrics — though its insurance cost stands well apart from the class.

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Honda Pilot to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Hyundai Palisade if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Palisade
Annual maintenance	$542winner	$573
5-year total cost	$2,710winner	$2,865
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	13%
Cargo space	111.8 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$45,400	$41,035winner
Best years to buy	—	2022

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Palisade
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	303.7winner	355.3
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2012	2024, 2025, 2026
Value retained · 3 yr	74.5%winner	73.3%
Value retained · 5 yr	55.9%winner	54.7%
Value retained · 7 yr	46%winner	43.2%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Palisade
Engine	32.3%	11.2%winner
Electrical	14.7%	4.7%winner
ADAS	11.2%	9.4%winner
Brakes	3.7%winner	14.6%
Suspension	1.3%winner	5.7%
Steering	1.7%winner	2.0%
Fuel system	7.6%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	1.5%	0.7%winner
Glass/Windows	2.4%winner	14.1%
Airbags	3.5%winner	4.6%
Seatbelt	—winner	14.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Honda Pilot	Hyundai Palisade
Avg annual premium	$2,147winner	$3,049

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Palisade

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →